Experts have warned the data proves the NHS workforce “crisis” is “deepening”.
The number of unfilled nurse vacancies have risen to a record high of almost 50,000.
New data published by NHS Digitial reveals there are now 133,400 unfilled jobs across the NHS in England, with registered nursing vacancies accounting for around one in three (36%).
The total number of nurse vacancies has increased by a massive 7,565 (19%) on the same period last year.
Experts have warned the data proves the NHS workforce “crisis” is “deepening”, with think tank the Health Foundation calling for a long-term workforce plan.
It comes as Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members plan to strike following a decade of below-inflation pay rises and deteriorating working conditions.
Care is unsafe.
Responding to the publication of the data, RCN Director for England, Patricia Marquis, said: “With more than 13,000 patients a day stuck in hospitals because the community and social care they need to be safely discharged is unavailable, it’s easy to see why health and care is at breaking point.
“Combined with a record 47,000 nurse vacancies across the NHS in England, this is precisely the reason why our members have decided to strike – because the workforce gaps and being underpaid have made care unsafe.
“Ministers have repeatedly ignored our calls to address the workforce crisis and to put serious investment in nursing, including fair pay.
“They’ve also dismissed our offer of serious negotiations on pay and patient safety – unless the health secretary changes course 100,000 nurses will be walking out in two weeks’ time.”
